History

Tradition has it that, while walking in the place of Ortiga, a certain mute shepherdess guarding her flock was approached by Our Lady, who asked her for a little sheep. The girl felt her tongue loosen and replied that she would not give the sheep without the permission of her father, who lived in Casal de Santa Maria. She ran to speak to her father, who was greatly astonished to hear his daughter speak, and told her to do whatever the Lady asked.

The shepherdess went to speak to the Mother of God, who ordered the construction of a chapel there. When the girl's father went to the place indicated by her, he found on a stone, among nettles (ortigas), an image of Our Lady, which he took to Casal de Santa Maria. However, the image disappeared from there only to be seen again among the nettles. A small chapel was built there, which was later enlarged.

The Holy Father Pius VII granted a jubilee to this chapel in 1801, to be gained on the first Sunday of July each year.

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